I don’t remember the press being this wild towards me. Well, maybe because this is a big scoop since the largest current loveteam is involved. Kung tutuusin, kaya kong sirain silang dalawa sa galit ko. They are so selfish. To save their asses, they chose to degrade me. But no… I won’t stoop down to their level.

“Good evening Eury, thank you for allowing us an interview. It is an honor to be trusted by you.”
Ngumiti ako, no trace of humor anywhere.
“So let’s start, days ago, the news and pictures about you and Zander Mendez surfaced on the internet. Anong masasabi mo roon?” tanong nito, ngayon seryoso at may fake concern na sa tono.
“Well, just like what the people involved said, those are pictures of me and Zander together.”
“Does this mean anything?”
Kumurap-kurap ako. I shifted on the other side before shaking my head. “No.”
“You’re not in a relationship with Zander?”
“I’m not.”
“Never or not anymore?”

Fuck! Hindi ko rin ito nabasa sa listahan ah! Ito ang mahirap kapag mag-isa at walang manager! People take advantage of me! And I cannot just stop the interview because I’m sure some will even include my reaction!

“It depends…” I trailed off.
“When his project finishes?” nang-iintrigang tanong sa akin.
“Uh, no… That’s going to be a month or less from now. I have to go back to Manila probably within this week or next.”

Ngayong kaming dalawa na lang ni Vincent, with media around, I feel as though I’m in the hotseat. No, mas malala pa riyan. Pakiramdam ko’y mahihimatay ako sa biglaang kaba at pamamawis. I am always confident whether in front of the camera or the stage but why am I always so nervous around him. One of these days, I’m going to get some sample of his whatnots just so I will understand my kryptonite.

Diretso ang tingin ko sa harap. I’m just suddenly reminded of my attitude whenever we have guests at home. I would always be prim and proper, just like my sisters.

I was born rich and am expected to be prim and proper. He’s an orphan and a bit different from the upbringing I have. He’s crass, very male, and rough. I’ve known people, men, who are like that. But I don’t react this way towards them. Kaya bakit ba talaga, Eury?

Una, may krimeng nangyari sa mga taong involved sa sinapit ko sa Romblon. If people will dig deeper, which I doubt, they will realize that something happened on my shoot. Where is Hubert? Did he kill his friends? What was his reason? I don’t understand.

Pangalawa, Vincent wants to clear his name from the scandal I made years ago. To clear his name, he wants me to pretend that we’re together.

Napakurap-kurap ako sabay tingin sa kanya. The evilness of his gaze is so evident. Alam niya kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. I immediately moved closer just to prove to him, and to myself, that this is all nothing.

“What about it?”
“When we’re back in Manila, you’re going to live with me.”

Pakiramdam ko ay pwedeng magprito ng itlog sa pisngi ko sa biglaang sobrang init nito. Nilingon ko si Vincent and I cannot believe that there is no humor in his eyes when he said it. Is he serious?

“We don’t have to! Why can’t we just tell other people that we are in a relationship-“
“Shh…” He put his index finger softly in the middle of my lips just to stop me from saying more.

Natulala ako sa kanya. I cannot fathom how stupid I am when it comes to him. Ngayon ko lang talaga natanto na sa buong buhay ko, all my moves are calculated and proper, but with him, I cannot seem to find the right things to do.

Years ago, even without physical closeness, my attraction in disguise of anger has allowed me to do so many reckless things. Ngayong ganito na kami kalapit ngayon, I can only imagine what it will allow me to do!

“You expect me to say it softly when you’re asking me to do ridiculous things?” mas mahinahon na ang boses ko.
“My girlfriend should live with me,” he said.

“So where do you want to live, then? I’ll buy you a house.” He smirked.

Naputol ang litid ko sa kanyang sinabi. He just confirmed it twice! Why is this a big deal to you, fool!? We’re here to talk about the business deal he’s offering! Give and take relationship ito! I can gain from it! I can clear my name because of him, as well. He can clear his by being with me! Kaya dapat wala na akong problema rito!

The anger I’m feeling materialized. Ang bata kong puso noon, kapag nasasaktan ay bumabagsik at nagiging bayolente. But my heart has changed. For years, I have learned. And right now, all it could do is cry.

“Huwag ka nang mag-aksaya ng pera. I am perfectly fine with our mansion. Why don’t you just pick me up whenever we have to play pretend and drive me home after. Pareho lang iyon. And that would be convenient since I don’t have to… bring my things back when we’re done with it.”

“Tita, si Eury ito.”
“Eury!” Tita sounds so lively. Isang bagay na nakapagtataka gayong gabi na at paniguradong pagod na siya sa lahat ng issue para sa araw na ito.
“Po!?”
“The news will break any time now but I just have to confirm this from you! Is it true? You’re in a relationship with a famous non-showbiz bachelor?! Or is this just for show?!”

Gusto kong umirap. Well, why, yes. Vincent can seduce any woman of any age, shamelessly. Why is this even new to me?

“Text me the exact address of where you are. By the way, do you know? Maybe you can give him the phone and let him tell me the exact address so I can send Genta to you right away.”
“Okay, I’ll give the phone to him,” I said.

“Hello, yes, this is Vincent Hidalgo,” his low voice sounds great in person. I can only imagine hearing it over the phone.
“Oh, hi! H-Hello, Architect! It is a real pleasure to be talking to you right now. I am so glad,” rinig ko ang malambing na boses ng aking Manager para kay Vincent.

Of course, right? What the hell? Umirap ako at umiling. At least someone can justify my actions.